DIGNITAS offers to support Guernsey assisted dying framework

Channel
Guernsey
Monday 16 April 2018 at 12:00pm

Credit: PA

DIGNITAS has offered its support to Guernsey in forming the legal framework to introduce assisted dying in the island.

In an email to the Deputy Gavin St Pier, the Swiss organisation outlined its view on the subject, which will be debated in Guernsey's States next month.

It follows an open letter written from Church leaders saying they will not support the legalisation of assisted dying in the island.

Guernsey's most senior politician Deputy Gavin St Pier has since replied to the letter.

It is my understanding that in the last 10 years, two Guernsey residents have travelled to Switzerland to enable you to support their end of life choices. Consequently, we share your objective that giving individuals more choice will mitigate their need to travel to Zurich. Further, like you, we see this as a fundamentally a human rights issue. If we are successful in our debate - which is likely to commence on 16th May - we will then embark on an extensive period of consultation during which, I am sure, your offer to engage would be welcome. In developing an appropriate regime for our own community, we would obviously want to learn from the experience of other jurisdictions, including your own, particularly with regard to the safeguards, protections and protocols that guarantee a safe regime.

DIGNITAS was founded in 1998 with a main focus of bringing the Swiss option of legal assisted dying to other countries.